Klinsmann defends call to leave captain off roster

Mar. 18, 2013
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In this Feb. 28, 2012 file photo,Â?U.S. soccer team defender Carlos Bocanegra answers a question during a press conference prior to a training session ahead of their friendly against Italy in Genoa. At left is coach Jurgen Klinsmann. / Tanopress AP

by Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports

by Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports

For U.S. soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann, yesterday doesn't matter. Nor does the pedigree of a player if he's sitting on the bench for his club team. Even with several veterans out because of injury, Klinsmann left defender Carlos Bocanegra, the captain since 2007, off the roster for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico.

Klinsmann will take an inexperienced defense into Friday's game against Costa Rica in Commerce City, Colo., a game he called a "must win."

"He is not getting any minutes, so he has no flow, he has no rhythm," Klinsmann said about Bocanegra, 33, who plays for Racing Santander in Spain's second division. "Carlos is still in our picture. He understands right now he is behind other players. â?¦ We'll play it by ear over the next couple of months. Hopefully his situation will improve there."

Bocanegra, who has made 110 international appearances for the U.S., did not play in last month's 2-1 loss to Honduras. The Americans will also be without goalkeeper Tim Howard (back injury), defender Steve Cherundolo (knee injury) and six other key contributors who are out due to illness or injury.

Then there's Landon Donovan, the team's all-time leading scorer, who took an extended break from the game. He plans to rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy later this month. His future with the national team is unclear. Klinsmann said he hasn't talked to Donovan since late January, but future discussions shouldn't be an issue since both live in the same Southern California neighborhood.

"If he will become part of our plans again, it depends on how he comes back and how I look at the whole picture and how I look at the development of this team," Klinsmann said. "The door is always open. But I will make decisions based on what I think is best for this team going forward. As of today, he's not part of the plans because he is simply not playing or training."

Klinsmann was asked if there might come a point when he asks Donovan to get off the couch and start training because the team needs him.